Plans

I was going to post this as it happened, but decided to write as it happened and post once the final decision had been made. Here it goes:

I’m an event planner. I like to have everything planned out and detailed. Excel spreadsheets, calendar reminders, binders, lists, sticky notes they are all my friends. And, are very helpful when I am planning events - at work, this is the way it should be and for the most part it works well.

Life – real life – that is a different story…it happens just when you think that you have it figured, something happens to change it. Good, bad or just unexpected something comes up and your plans change. I’ve always been a fly by the seat of my pants type of girl…It has served me well and I have had a lot of fun doing it, but when I have made plans they don’t seem to work out. 

Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans. - John Lennon

Life is something that happens when you can't get to sleep. - Fran Lebowitz

Man makes plans, and God laughs. - Yiddish proverb

Yup, those are 3 of my favorite HAHAHA you thought it was going to happen like that quotes. I’ve had a plan and I thought it was pretty good. I changed that plan last year after my grandmother passed away I thought it was time for me to move closer to my parents. Make sure that they are taken care of – nope they didn’t ask, but it was something I felt like I should do. I have on and off applied to jobs, but nothing serious and nothing steady. I was planning on taking my CMP in mid July and starting to work on my CEM and figured when that was complete I would get serious.

Prior to this plan I really really wanted to move to Nashville. I love that city – the people, the southern charm, the farms, music, and artistry…did I mention the people? It is just a great city with a small town feel. Well, I applied to a job kind of off the cuff – well truth is I have been applying to jobs on and off there as well as in New Hampshire.  So, I applied to this job and the next day (not even 12 hrs later) I have a phone call from the HR recruiter and 2 hours later I was on the phone with the VP. Then a plane ticket and in person interview on the following Friday (7/13 – Friday the 13^th might be on new favorite day J).

I’ve waiting on week to hear back from the company in Nashville – during this time I have had an interview with a company on Mass. On Friday (7/20 – what is it with Fridays?) I heard back from both companies, I have a second interview with the hiring manager in mass and a follow up interview with the company Nashville. I have a growing feeling in the pit of my stomach that I am going to have to make a difficult decision.  Follow the new plan or the old plan.

We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us. - Joseph Campbell

Life is full of surprises and serendipity. Being open to unexpected turns in the road is an important part of success. If you try to plan every step, you may miss those wonderful twists and turns. Just find your next adventure-do it well, enjoy it-and then, not now, think about what comes next. - Condoleeza Rice

I was up in Mass for the weekend visit with the Family when the offer came in – the job in Nashville. I hadn’t heard back from the company in Mass, but they said it was going to be a slow process. Then came an unexpected a job offer from a company in Yakima, WA…An old co-worker wanted me to join his new company’s startup team. I could work remote from anywhere, but it was in marketing. No, events and less travel – more time for life. I was torn as to what I should do and what was the best option. Did I really want to give up the travel and events for a more settled job?

Follow your passion. Stay true to yourself. Never follow someone else's path unless you're in the woods and you're lost and you see a path. By all means, you should follow that.  - Ellen DeGeneres

The answer: NO. I like the travel. I like the benefits and freedom it gives me. And, we were told we could have it all life and career - I’m not ready to give on that up. I’m not lost in the woods so I’m not going to follow anyone else’s path.

As, I write this I have a 6 page to do list that needs to be done by 8/26: purging, organizing, packing and finding a place to live in Nashville - 3 weeks until the next adventure.